Crumbling bricks on both party walls in loft

[modmonkey]

Hi there,

I own the upper maisonnette flat of a spilt terraced house, with a separately owned basement flat at the bottom. The building is about 100 years old.

Up in my loft the brickwork on both party walls are crumbling badly, especially in the chimney stacks on the right side of the house. There are also cotton wall type balls growing on the brickwork, which (from what I've read) may be dry rot. I'm concerned at the state of decay the walls are at but am aware that being built 100 years ago it's not going to be great. I cannot see any water coming from anywhere, but both fireplaces have been bricked up and the chimney I don't think has been capped at all. Could all this be the result of water coming down the chimney?

Who would be best to contact for this type of problem? Is it roofing, damp specialist or general builder?

Also does anyone know if it is my responibility or is it a shared problem with the basement flat owner?

Sorry in advance if there is anything missing in my description, I'm a bit new to all this.

Thanks,

Modmonkey

 

[Nige F]

Sounds like a Hastings house ..Who owns the freehold, they`re usually responsible for structural work..........could be damp but I would get it checked for dry rot.without paying for loads of "remedial" damp proofing..... If it`s near Hastings I can recommend a good builder.not me but my e mail`s in my profile

 

[modmonkey]

It's a Brighton address but still by the Sussex coast at least.

 

[Thermo]

any chance of any pictures?

 

[Nige F]

It's a Brighton address but still by the Sussex coast at least.

Fireplaces blocked..any airbricks Are there loads of chimneys, or is it easy to identify "yours" Are the stacks rendered outside or can you see the brickwork I`m thinking damp down flue, but don`t like the sound of the cotton woll balls Have you any friends who can recommend a builder....Btn. is as bad as London for cost now

 

[modmonkey]

I'll try and get some photo's up but it will probably be after Christmas now.

There doesn't seem to be any airbricks and the chimney is easily identifed as mine.

I'll will let you know. Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Nige F]

OK Have a good Christmas

 

[modmonkey]

Hi there,

I know I'm replying to an old post but here are the photo's as promised.

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/modmonkey1/my_photos

Photo's marked loft 9, 11 and 12 have the 'cotton wool balls' I mentioned earlier.

Both sides of the walls have damage which includes the opposite wall which has no chimney breast but the 'cotton wool' is only on one part of the chimney breast. The rooms below have damp which is causing damage to the plaster.

I've looked on the roof (from street level) and there isn't any leadwork on the firewalls (or party walls whatever you call them), but when I've had roofers come to look, they say there is most likely to be protection under the titles.

Any ideas?

Photo link below.

Thanks,

Alan

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/modmonkey1/my_photos